This Friday, Israeli airstrikes hit areas in northern and eastern Lebanon, further breaching the ceasefire agreement that had recently been extended. The extension had allowed Israeli forces to maintain their presence in the country. Explosions were reported near the Lebanese-Syrian border, south of Baalbek, in the early morning hours.
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) confirmed that Israeli planes attacked the eastern Bekaa region (Al-Silsila al-Sharqiya). NNA also noted that northern Lebanon’s Akkar district, particularly the Wadi Khaled area, was targeted. One of the strikes hit a truck carrying batteries and scrap metal in the Al-Wawiyat region, while another targeted the Jab al-Ward crossing on the outskirts of Hanaider.
In its statement, the Israeli military claimed that its jets carried out overnight attacks on multiple Hezbollah-related targets in the Bekaa Valley, under the guidance of military intelligence. The targets were said to pose a threat to Israel’s security. These included a site with underground infrastructure used for weapons development and a border transit route that Hezbollah allegedly uses to move arms between Syria and Lebanon.
On January 30, Israeli drones attacked three vehicles in the southern Lebanese town of Taybeh. Earlier, the Israeli military reported intercepting a Hezbollah surveillance drone. Israel has escalated its violations of the ceasefire while justifying these actions as part of the ongoing agreement. Earlier in the week, airstrikes on the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh wounded at least 30 people.
Israeli forces have also continued to target returning displaced residents in the south of Lebanon, who began returning to their villages on January 26, after the original ceasefire period ended. This ceasefire period has now been extended until February 18. More than 24 people have been killed by Israeli forces in the region.
Israel has refused to pull its troops from southern Lebanon as required during the 60-day period outlined in the ceasefire. This period was also supposed to include the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River by the Lebanese Army.
The deadline extension was made due to pressure from Israel on Washington. Israel has claimed that the returning civilians are Hezbollah supporters and accused them of inciting unrest. Furthermore, it alleges that the Lebanese Army has not fulfilled its obligations under the ceasefire, pointing to ongoing Hezbollah activities in south of the Litani river.
An Israeli military official told Ynet on January 29 that Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon until they believe the Lebanese Army has fully met its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.